Perfect game gives Mexican team a lift in Williamsport

The game went four innings instead of the usual six because of Little League’s 10-run mercy rule.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — An ice pack strapped around Jesus Sauceda’s potent right shoulder slipped down into his jersey, interrupting a post-game interview.

It was about the only thing Sunday that went wrong for the 13-year-old ace pitcher for Matamoros, Mexico. Sauceda pitched the fifth perfect game in Little League World Series history and the first in 29 years when he struck out all 12 batters in a 12-0 win over Emilia, Italy.

The game went four innings instead of the usual six because of Little League’s 10-run mercy rule.

“To be honest with you, I wasn’t expecting this,” Sauceda said through translator Sergio Guzman. He proudly displayed the ball that was the final pitch on a table.

“I was just going out there to throw.”

Did he ever. Italian batters were overmatched and Sauceda starred at the plate, too, going 3-for-3 with six RBIs, including a grand slam in the third.

“The speed of that pitcher doesn’t exist in Italy,” Italian manager Andrea Bettati said, shaking his head.

In other action Sunday, Trey Quinn tossed a no-hitter for Lake Charles, La., in a 9-0 shutout of Jeffersonville, Ind.; Tokyo defeated White Rock, British Columbia, 9-3; and Maracaibo, Venezuela, shut out Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 12-0. Waipahu, Hawaii, beat Tampa, Fla., 10-2 in the late game.

Later Sunday, Quinn starred on the mound for unbeaten Louisiana. Quinn helped himself with his glove when a line drive hit him on the left wrist and bounced away before he recovered to throw out the runner.

Takumi Ozeki struck out eight and had a two-run homer as Japan moved to 2-0 in pool play. Connor Kenwood drove in two runs with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth for winless Canada before the late rally fell through.

During the game, Little League used its new replay system for home runs or other close calls at the outfield fence to review a foul ball down the left-field line in the second inning.

After a pitch, the home plate umpire was called over as the replay was reviewed. Replays showed the ball clearly on the foul side of the foul pole, backing up the original call.

In this case, even if the replay had shown the ball was fair, the play would not have been overturned because a review needs to occur before the next pitch is thrown, Little League spokesman Lance Van Auken said.

Aroldo Sanchez tossed four shutout innings and had three RBIs, and Gustavo Perdomo homered as Venezuela clinched a berth in the international semifinals. The win also allowed Japan to advance to the next round.

Tanner Tokunaga hit a grand slam and reliever Trevor Ling settled Hawaii down on the mound after a shaky first inning. Ryan McCullers and Michael McGuire each scored for Florida on wild pitches by starter Khade Paris.